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Monday, April 01, 2013

want vs need
i've been thinking more about wants, needs, marketing, and money in the past few weeks. reasons:

➤ i just read laura vanderkam's all the money in the world on a whim last week [it was a quick read]

➤ we had been planning on taking a pretty extravagant trip at the end of fellowship, considering an all-inclusive resort [beaches turks & caicos] in the caribbean. yes, it may be a little cheesy and not a terribly mind-broadening experience, but we thought we could bring annabel and get a great blend of alone time + family time, as they have excellent child care. however, when we went to book it, we realized that financially we just can't do it practically now. i was initially disappointed, but we're going to do a lower-key adventure instead [maybe 2-3 days in the keys]. more importantly, i know i'll enjoy a trip like that more when we've actually earned enough to afford it comfortably.

wants
in reading the book, i realized i had a long list of material wants in my head. mind-dumping everything i could come up with:

makeup that isn't 7 years old*

a purse that isn't vinyl

sleep/loungewear that fits well and is cute

lingerie that also meets this criteria**

more summer dresses + tops

a pair of white jeans

nice sunglasses

a few pairs of earrings/necklaces*** [currently i own like 2 of each total]

work clothes that fit and aren't all stretched out/frayed/etc -- enough that i feel cute going to work every day

at times, i feel relatively justified in wanting these things. however, i know i don't NEED any of them. and i honestly feel guilty and slightly dirty even thinking about these sorts of 'upgrades' when i think about what a luxurious life i already lead compared with so many in the world. and for that matter, how can i justify many of the things that i already enjoy [ahem nice BABY CLOTHES] when i know they are really just extras? am i simply a victim of really, REALLY good marketing to even think that i want these things?